Kanchi Sri Chitragupta Swamy Temple

There is only one temple in India that is dedicated to Shri Chitragupta Swamy, making the temple unique. On the day of the full moon in the Hindu calendar month of Chithrai, a special puja is held in the temple. It is said that Shri Chitragupta Swamy is governed by the planet Ketu. Ketu, is well known for its harmful tendencies, and those who are especially affected by this planet in their horoscope travel from all corners of the country to pray at the temple and seek the blessings of Shri Chitragupta Swamy.

There are many myths surrounding Shri Chitragupta Swamy, and three distinct stories about where he came from. According to the first story, Lord Shiva himself drew a picture of a rainbow and gave it to his consort, Goddess Parvathi. The Goddess made the image come to life and thus, Shri Chitragupta Swamy came to be. Another story talks about how Shri Chitragupta Swamy was delivered to Earth by the magical wish granting cow Kamadhenu with the purpose of helping the world save itself from the curse cast by Lord Indra.The third myth that tells the story of Chitragupta and how Yama Deva, the Lord of Hell and death prayed to the gods for help with his work. Lord Yama Deva needed assistance with handling the millions of souls that dies and went to the afterlife, and required the expertise of someone who could accurately judge all that they had done in their lifetime. Chitragupta was blessed with amazing intellect and was blessed with brilliance by Lord Shiva himself. He was directed by the Sun god, his father to help Yama Dev manage the balance sheets of good and evil for every living being on this planet, and it is with Yama Deva that Chitragupta Swamy still resides and aids in the judgement of every single soul that passes from the real world into the afterlife.

On the day that Shri Chitragupta Swamy was born, i.e. Chitra Poornima, the temple celebrates Chitragupta Jayanti which much pomp and show. A special Puja is conducted, and the marriage ceremony of the deity to his wives is also performed. The temple sponsors food for the devotees and the alms seeker on this day.